About Dr. Patricia

Dr. Patricia A. Ronald Riba is a childhood obesity specialist and author in Orange County, CA. She was the founder and is Medical Director of Dr. Patricia MD/Dr. Riba Health Club, a community-based organization designed to prevent and treat nutrition-related health problems in children aged 0 to 18 years and their families. Dr. Patricia MD/Dr. Riba Health Club offers a variety of programs and services at multiple sites throughout Orange County. Dr. Patricia and her multidisciplinary team reach over 6,000 underserved families through individualized patient care plans, community and provider education and training, school-based programs, and Parent-Child Feeding Interaction Therapy. Dr. Patricia attended Boston University School of Medicine and completed her residency in general pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Prior to her current position, Dr. Patricia worked as a Pediatrician for Orangewood/Juvenal Hall, Doctors of Children in Irvine, CCHC/AltaMed in Huntington Beach, and as an obesity consultant for the Latino Health Access Obesity Program. In 2008, Dr. Patricia received the “Healthy Smiles: Hero of Oral Health Award.” She was also recently honored as an “Agent of Change” by the Children & Families Commission of Orange County and received an “Excellence in Philanthropy Award” from the Orange County Community Foundation. She has written an article for Contemporary Pediatrics and her work has been featured in the Orange County Register and the Huntington Beach Wave. In addition, she has appeared on KDOC and KOCE as a childhood obesity expert.

Dr. Patricia’s program is increasingly being recognized throughout Orange County as a promising approach to nutrition-related disorders including diabetes prevention, obesity, Failure to Thrive, and feeding dynamic issues in children 0-5 years of age. She recently co-wrote a parenting guidebook, Fit Kids Revolution, on treating/preventing childhood obesity and creating a healthy home with Jon Gabriel of The Gabriel Method.

Maria E. Minon, M.D., F.A.A.P.

CHOC Children's V. P. Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Riba and Mr. Gabriel have put their heart and soul into “Fit Kids Revolution”. Parents will find this guide refreshing for their compassionate, blame free approach and innovative solutions to the epidemic of childhood obesity. The advice offered within will not only impact the lives of children but entire families. This guide is an excellent resource for all families who wish to have healthier, happier children and a positive family dynamic.

Dr. Gwyn Parry

The revolutionary approach for reversing the obesity epidemic

Shelley Hoss – President

Orange County Community Foundation

Dr. Riba is a knowledgeable and passionate warrior in the battle against childhood obesity. She is a leading advocate for children’s health and wellbeing, and has found effective strategies for demystifying what it takes to eat and live healthfully in ways that are practical and sustainable for both children and their families.

Dr Katherine Ahn, DDS Commissioner

Children and Families Commission of Orange County

There are not many books that can be read for both pleasure and educational purposes at the same time. This book is one of those books. I believe the wisdom that it imparts can positively impact us and our family for generations. Consumption of food is an integral part of life, Jon Gabriel and Dr. Patricia Riba guide us on how to make food a pleasurable aspect of life rather than being a gateway to obesity and a lifetime of struggles, guilt and unhealthy living. I applaud Jon and Dr Riba on publishing this desperately needed information on how to successfully prevent or overcome obesity, one of the greatest epidemic in America.

Albert Chang, MD MPH

Having practiced pediatrics in Orange County now for almost 10 years, I feel very fortunate that we have a program such as Dr Riba’s Health Club for our at risk obese patient population. She has brought together an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced set of specialists who provide a directed level of care and resources to our young patients and their families. In my busy offices, we are oftentimes unable to provide the time to fully educate and answer all the patients questions during the single visit. Dr Riba’s program is able to provide the time to go over the individualized patient care plan, and hit all the most important aspects of care with her Multidisciplinary Team. Their team’s unique way of connecting and inspiring children and parents both has made a meaningful impact within the Orange County community and among my patients and their families.

Valerie Rice

Eat Drink Garden

As a food blogger and mother of two daughters, I’m always on the hunt to find ways to nourish my family that leads to a long lasting enjoyment of fresh, healthy food. Fit Kids Revolution is a wonderful guide that illustrates how to feed families in a healthy and approachable way but it’s so much more.
With all the food fads it can be hard to discern the right path. This book is not just for those grappling with childhood obesity, it’s a practical guide for all families. We’ve put Dr. Riba’s methods to work in our home with great success – from the psychology of feeding children, to taking charge on what to serve and soothing techniques…it’s an all-exclusive guide. Thank you, Dr. Riba and Gabriel, for giving a sane and inspiring guide for all families.

Merry A. Grasska, RN, MPH, NP-C

Fit Kids Revolution is a remarkable, book, demystifying how the body works in regard to nutrition and the factors that contribute to obesity. As a family nurse practitioner and one who has had a life-long battle managing my own weight, I recommend this enjoyable, easy to read book as a must for all parents who want to help their children achieve healthy weight and it should be required reading for parents who want to raise children in an environment with a healthy philosophy about food. Health care practitioners will also find it a helpful tool with valuable information.